Family sues over death of inmate

LINO LAKES, Minn. (AP) — The family of an inmate who died after asking for medical help at the Lino Lakes prison is suing the company that provided medical care to prisoners.

The federal lawsuit alleges nurses and correctional staff failed to properly respond to Jerrell Hammond who for days complained of severe chest pain in 2011. The 34-year-old inmate died in his cell from pulmonary blood clots. The Star Tribune reports that on the day of his death, Hammond hit the distress button in his cell and was found on the floor in agony. The lawsuit says Hammond was left in his cell and found without a pulse about an hour later.

Until last year, Corizon Health was contracted by the state to provide medical care to inmates in Minnesota prisons. Corizon did not immediately return a call seeking comment.